Windows 11

[brainiac]

Since I bought my laptop last year, occasionally when I go to shut it down I get prompts to 'Update and shutdown'. I usually click on this, it updates for a few minutes then turns off.

However, this afternoon I clicked on 'Update and shutdown' and it updated for over an hour and a half, and now when starting my laptop it seems to have downloaded Windows 11 - even though I have never accepted any prompts to download it.

All my docs, bookmarks and passwords appear to be intact, but it's really annoying. Anything I should be aware of about W11, or is it just a case of getting used to it?

[barry1010]

Just get used to it, in a couple of days you won't notice it's different

[Buenchico]

Microsoft regards Windows 11 as a logical 'update' for Windows 10, so it comes along more or less automatically on PCs that meet the minimum specs for running it.

You're certainly not alone:
https://www.theanswerbank.co.uk/Body-and-Soul/Question1844050.html

W11 isn't vastly different to W10, so it shouldn't take long to get used to it.

[JimF]

If you prefer the Windows 10 (or even earlier) start menu, this will give it to you: https://www.stardock.com/products/start11/

N.B. this is not advertising or spam - I have no association with the company that makes the product, but can recommend it as a user.

[Togo]

I am assuming that if you purchased the lappie quite recently(last year) then it came with W10 and a guarantee that you could upgrade to W11. Microsoft are developing operating systems constantly and W12 is well on the way to being written. W10 is due to be wound down in the next 12 months or so. You do not say which browser you are using or which search engine. (I use Edge and Bing) so it is difficult to give a precise answer regarding things to be aware of. I would however say that it is worth a few minutes checking the Start/ Settings menu and all the sub menus, particularly the Update and Security menus. Also a modern laptop will have built in camera which gives you the option to use the facial recognition option for sign in. Very useful, and recommended.

[brainiac]

Thanks, all. Yes, I'd quite often get offers of a free update but always declined, particularly because of ABers who didn't like it. Am using Edge and Duck Duck Go, and all seems okay so far - but have only typed on here and sent one email.
I'll keep my fingers crossed. Just annoyed that at no time did I ask for this!

[Togo]

Check your printer is still recognised, if you use one, also if you were synced with a phone or other machine check that. I would, as the general consensus on this thread appears to nod to, gou through the Start/Settings menu and check that Defender( or third party security if you have been lured into using it) is up and running. W11 is excellent.

[brainiac]

Thanks Togo.

[fender62]

jimf, this is free, stardock is good but a bit bloated.
http://www.classicshell.net/

[gingejbee]

I bought a new Samsung laptop a few weeks ago with W11. This replaces a 14-year old Acer(!) with W7, which I've used all that time.
No problems at all using it.

[JimF]

http://www.classicshell.net/
http://www.classicshell.net/forum/viewtopic.php?f=4&t=8147